Electroresponsive device



June 16, 1931.

| A. TROFIMOV 1,810,306

ELECTRORESPONSIVE DEVICE Filed April 19, 1928 Patented June 16, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 LEV A. TEBDFIIOV, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE ELECTRIC CONTROLLER & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, .OHIO, A CORPORATION 01 OHIO ELECTROBESPONSIVE DEVICE Application filed April 19, 1928. Serial No. 271,168.

My invention relates broadly to electroresponsive devices, and more specifically to contactors for opening and closing electric circuits.

One object of this invention is to provide an electro-respdnsive device, such as a con-' tactor, operated by induction, held in its operated position inductively or magnetically, and restored to initial position by in- .1 duction or gravity or both or otherwise. Another object is to provide an inductive device which operates in either direction with unusually powerful force and with unusual quickness or speed. Another object is to produce an electro-responsive device which may be readily understood by the ordinary electrician so that the cost 0 maintenance becomes a relatively small ,matter. The device is simple and relatively inex- 30 pensive to manufacture as standard-commercial materials may be used which do not uire accurate machining or close mechanicaRzflearanceis. th dr errm o e accom an awm a Fig. 1 is a side elevation df c i itactor di bodying one form of my invention; Fig. 2,

a section on the line 2-2 on Fig. 1, the core being shown in side elevation; and Fig. 3, a

side view part1 in section showing a second embodiment o the invention. 1

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, A is a 'U-shaped magnetizable frame having the vertical base member' 10, the upper horizontal leg or member 11, and the lower hor- *conductin material such, as cop r, alummum or t 0 like. The cylinder lg is freely slidahle on the core member 15.. It has its izontal leg or member The base or bot-- upper end threaded exteriorly, there being a s oulder 18 at the lower end ofthe threads. A contact member 19 has an openin whereby it is slid down over the threade part of the member 17 untilit is seated on the shoulder 18. A collar or nut 31 of magnetizable material is screwed on the member 17 and clamps the contact member 19 between itself at its ends the contacts 20 which enga e the fixed contacts 21 when the cylind er 17 reaches its upper position. The upper end of the core B is spaced from the framem'ember 11 and the cylinder 17 is, when resting on the shoulder 16 spaced from the said member 11. I

The main winding 22 surrounds the core B and the cylinder 17 below the contact member 19.- The auxiliary winding 23 is concentric with the winding 22. One end of the main windin 22 is connected by the wire 24 and throug ii the switch 25 to one side of a source of current, while the other end 'of the winding is together with one end of the winding 23 connected through the switch 26 to the wire 27 receiving current from the other side of the source. The remaining end of the winding 23 is connected to the wire 27 The switch 26 has the contacts 28 at one end and is mounted between its ends on the pivot 29 and has the armature at the other end and beneath the head of the bolt 13 and near enough thereto to draw the armature up when the winding 22 causes its magnetic c1rcuit including the bolt to be energized.

The windings are enclosed by the annular insulating material C.

- .The -parts being as shown in Figs. land 2, the switch 25 1s closed, whereupon curand the shoulder 18. The member 19 has 1 rent flows from the wire 24 through the winding 22 and the switch 26 to the wire 27. At this instant the. Winding magnetic old has built up suflicientl the arma of the windings in series. The placing of thewinding in series withthe I Wis-attracted w the bot 13,- thereby causing the contacts 28 to be opened, whereupon the current flows through both l 23 is .shortclrcuited b the switch 26, but as soon as the ioo increases the resistance in the circuit of the winding 22 and prevents it from overheating. However, the winding may be omitted or its function be assumed by equivalent means.

As soon as the switch 25 is closed, current in the winding 22 starts and grows until it reaches a maximum. During the growth of the current in this winding it induces a voltage in the closed circuit comprising the tube or cylinder 17, causing current to flow therein. The direction of flow of current in the cylinder 17 is such that the reaction between the currents in the winding 22 and the cylinder 17 quickly and forcibly raises the cylinder from its seat 16 and causes the contacts 20 to engage the contacts 21.

At this instant the armature or nut 31 engages the frame member 11 by which it is magnetically held, since the frame A is a part of the magnetic circuit for the winding 22. When direct current energizes the winding 22, it is necessary to provide some means, such as that just described, for example, for holding the contactor closed, since without such or equivalent means the contactor would drop open as soon as the current reaches its maximum, because current in the cylinder 17 then ceases.

When the current through the winding 22 is out OK, the decaying current in the winding generates a voltage in the cylinder 1'? and causes current to flow in the opposite direction from what it did when the current was rising in the winding, whereupon the cylinder 17 is forcibly drawn into the winding 22, thereby opening the contacts 20 and 21. This opening force is assisted by gravity.

When the winding 22 is energized by alternating current, voltage and current are induced in the cylinder as long as the winding is energized, so that not only will the cylinder be lifted by induction but it will also be held up by induction without the necessity of holding it up magnetically, but it may be advisable to use magnetic means under certain conditions, particularly when low voltage current is used.

It will be understood by those acquainted with the electrical art that the winding 22 may be made movable and the cylinder 17 stationary, this being an obvious reversal of parts.

If it is not desired to use the auxiliary winding, an equivalent resistance may be substituted therefor, since one function of this winding is to supply additional resistance in the circuit.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the same referencecharaeters are used therein as are used in Figs. 1 and 2 to designate corresponding parts except that in Fig. 3 the prime mark has been added.

The vertical magnetic frame A has the horizontal magnetic core B secured thereto below its center. The horizontal winding 22 surrounds the horizontal core 13 and the non-magnetic cylinder 17 on the portion 15'.

The horizontal magnetic core 32 is secured to the frame A above its center and has thereon the auxiliary winding 23.

Between the windings 22 and 23 the frame A has the horizontal post 33 to which the vertical contactor or armature 34 is 'pivotally connected intermediate its ends. The upper end of the contactor or armature 34 bears the contact 20 adapted to engage the fixed contact 21 when the switch is closed. The lower end of the contactor 34lis attached to the outer end of the cylinder 17' which is in its innermost position when the contacts are open.

The windings 22 and 23 are connected in series, but the winding 23 is short-circuited by the fixed contacts 35 which are bridged by the contact 36 carried by the contactor 3-1 when the latter is open. When current flows initially from the wire 24' to the wire 27 it flows through the winding 22 and the contacts 35 and 36 without appreciable current flowing in the winding 23 owing to its resistance. While the current is rising in the winding 22, the cylinder is forced out by induction, causing the contactor to. close its contacts 20 and 21 and to open the contacts 35 and 36. The opening of the latter contacts causes current to flow in the winding 23 which energizes the core 32 and causes it to attract the upper end of the contactor and hold the latter closed. Upon the interruption of the operating current, the cylinder 17 is forcibly drawn inwardly by induction produced as in Figs. 1 and 2, and the contactor opens its main contacts 20 and 21 and closes its auxiliary contacts 35 and 36.

The winding 22 or 22 may be considered as the primary winding of a transformer while the cylinder 17 or 17 may be regarded as the single turn secondary winding thereof.

Tests of this invention show that the force produced for operating the contactor is many times the force obtainable for operating a magnetically operated contactor, and the speed of operation of this contactor is many times the speedobtainable with magnetically-operated contactors.

I claim 1. In an electro-responsive winding, a movable member, means whereby a rising direct current in the winding induces in the movable member a current for operating the movable member, and means magnetized by a continuous flow of current in the winding for holding the movable member in its operated position.

2. In an electro-responsive device, a pair device, a

of open contacts, a winding, a movable member, means whereby a rising direct current in the winding induces a current in the movable member for closing the contacts, and means magnetized by a continuous flow of current in the winding for holding the movable member in its operated position.

3. In an electro-responsive device, a winding, a non-magnetic movable member, and means energized by a flow of current in the Winding for inductively operating the movable member and magnetic means for holdingthe movable member in its operated position.

l. In an electro-responsive device, an electromagnet, a movable non-magnetic closed body positioned to be inductively operated while direct current in the winding of the electromagnet is rising in value, and means magnetized by direct current in the winding for holding the said body in its operated position;

5. In an electro-responsive device, an electromagnet, a movable non-magnetic closed-body positioned to be inductively operated in one direction While unidirectional current in the winding of the electromagnet is rising and operated in another direction while the current in the winding is falling, and means magnetized by unidirectional current in the Winding for holding the body in its first operated positionuntil the current in the winding falls.

6. In an electro-responsive device, a winding, a movable member, means whereby a rise of direct current in the winding induces in the movable member a current for opercurrent in the winding magnetically holds the movable member away from the winding.-

10. In an electro-responsive device, a Winding, a set of contacts, means operated upon by a rising direct current in the winding for operating the contacts, and means acted upon by a continuous flow of direct current in the winding for holding the contacts in their operated position.

11. In an electro-responsive device, a winding, a movable member, means whereby a rising direct current in the winding causes the member to be moved to its operated position by induction, and means whereb a continuous direct current in the winding holds the member in its operated position magnetically.

12. In an electro-responsive device, a pair of main contacts, a pair of auxiliary contacts, a winding, inductive means acted upon by flow of current in the winding for closing the main contacts, and magnetic means independent of the inductive means acted upon by current in the winding for operating the auxiliary contacts.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

LEV A. TROFIMOV.

ating the movable member, and magnetizable means energized by a continuous direct current in the Winding for holding the movable member in its operated position.

7. In an electro-responsive device, a frame, a winding, a movable member operated thereby, said member comprising a nonmagnetic portion positioned within the winding when the winding is deenergized and a magnetic portion positioned adjacent to a portion of the frame after the movable member has been operated by the winding.

8. In an electric-responsive device, a winding, a movable member, means whereby a rising unidirectional current in the winding induces a current in a non-magnetic portion of the movable member to operate 55 the device, and means whereby a continuous flow of unidirectional current in the winding attracts a magnetic portion of the movable member to hold the device in its operated position.

9. In an electro-responsive device, a movable member, a winding, means whereby a rising direct current in the winding inductively repels the movable member to an operated position away from the wind- 65 ing, and means whereby continuous direct 

